During our roundtable discussion, we talked through the idea of mobilizing people around a cause or issue – in this case using the Toronto 2010 municipal elections as the focus.  We discussed ways to engage the community and the barriers that might exist in doing so.  It was wonderful to sit around a table with different members of the community with unique perspectives and expertise.  Of course, that means in some cases an idea would bubble to the top and then quickly fall, but then, I enjoy a little healthy debate.

The four scenarios to discuss around “co-creating a toolkit for a self-organizing movement of engaged citizen led dialogue and action” were:

• Same time, same place
• Same time, different place
• Different time, same place
• Different time, different place

Our table was given the task of preparing a toolkit for mobilizing people together at the same time, but in a different place. Naturally, technology becomes the top discussion.  We discussed how best to use technology, language and access barriers, and anonymity versus identity.

As I’m sure you know, we are big fans of opening up our information and processes. I’m very excited that ChangeCamp follows the same ideals. You can follow our table’s conversation thread (and the conversations of the other 20+ tables) at this link.  I would also encourage you to review ChangeCamp’s official wrap-up and analysis of the event, here. We talked about inclusivity being a top priority, and also acknowledged that if we could increase civic engagement by even 20% in each ward, what a huge success it would be.

One thing I will take away from the second table I was at was the idea of “reclaiming the community center”.  In this discussion someone threw out the notion that we could rethink how the community centers are used, what our ideas of them are, and how we can better promote programs within a community center. It got me thinking.  I deeply value our local community centers – and there are also conversations happening in bars, coffee shops and on the TTC.  Are those conversations and social gatherings happening at community centers? Could community centers become the next hot spot? Should they?

It is something I’ll be thinking about as I continue to work with ChangeCamp and other agencies in our community.